Here are the storylines to follow as the Giants prep for Week 1 against the Cowboys:
A look at the expected starters for the Giants' opener in Dallas
QB DAK PRESCOTTThe reigning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year had a passer rating of a 104.9 in 2016, third in the NFL behind only Matt Ryan and Tom Brady.
CENTER TRAVIS FREDERICKFrederick centers an offensive line that has three first-team All-Pro selections: himself, right guard Zack Martin, and left tackle Tyron Smith.
LB SEAN LEEHealthy for the past two seasons, Lee has made back-to-back Pro Bowls while leading the Cowboys in tackles.
KICKER DAN BAILEYBailey is second in NFL history among kickers (minimum 100 attempts) with a field goal percentage of 89.5.
WR DEZ BRYANTWhile the Giants were able to limit him last season, Bryant is a three-time Pro Bowler with 6,621 receiving yards and 67 touchdown catches in 97 career games.
TE JASON WITTENEntering his 15th season, Witten has 146 receptions in 28 games against the Giants, the most ever by an opponent.
RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTTThe fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft led the league with 1,631 rushing yards as a rookie.
1. DÉJÀ BLUE
If it seems like the Giants open every season in Dallas, it's because they do. This will be the third season in a row and fourth time in the last five years. It is the first time the Giants open on the road against the same team three years in a row since 1949-51, and it is the first time the Giants play five consecutive road openers since doing so from 1962-68.
2. NFC EAST UP FOR GRABS
Last season, the Dallas Cowboys grabbed the NFC East title as well as the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 13-3 record. That included an 11-game winning streak, which was bookended by losses to the Giants, who swept the Cowboys for the first time since 2011. There has not been a repeat champion in the NFC East since the Eagles claimed four division titles in a row from 2001-2004.
3. WILL ODELL BE CLEARED?
Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is still receiving treatment for an ankle injury he suffered in the Giants' second preseason game against the Browns. While game statuses won't be decided until Friday, Beckham stayed on the bike and worked with the training staff during the team's first practice of the week on Monday.
"If he's cleared to play medically, then we'll play him," coach Ben McAdoo said. "If he's not, then we won't."
Meanwhile, linebacker Keenan Robinson is still in the concussion protocol. Defensive tackle Jay Bromley (knee) and cornerback Eli Apple (ankle) have been limited.
4. ZEKE TO PLAY
Although Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy was upheld, the 2016 rushing champion will be allowed to play Sunday night. Elliott rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 44 carries in two games against the Giants, both of which were Cowboys' losses.
"Listen, our focus is on preparing for Dallas and all backs run the same when there is nowhere to run," McAdoo said at the beginning of the week before the appeal ruling. "So, our goal is to do our job and be prepared to stop the run and if he's playing, great; if he's not, then that's great. We are going to play whoever suits up for them."
5. ANOTHER TIME AROUND
A year ago, he was just a rookie fourth-round draft pick filling in for an injured Tony Romo, but quarterback Dak Prescott exceeded expectations last season in his AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. Prescott finished with a 104.9 passer rating, trailing only Matt Ryan and Tom Brady, the two starting quarterbacks in the most recent Super Bowl. That rating, however, dropped to 58.6 in two games against Big Blue as he threw just one touchdown to two interceptions.
"We've got film on him," All-Pro safety Landon Collins said. "We know what he likes to do, we know where his escape routes are, and we know his concepts and what he's reading. So it's big for us."
Photos from the all-time series between the Giants and Cowboys
